Systems and methods for providing security for authentication devices—such as electronically readable cards or ID badges with embedded RFID chips or NFC capability—may include an envelope or pocket-like case for carrying an electronically readable card, having an electrically conductive, non-opaque sleeve that can be moved to cover or expose the electronically readable card and that prevents information on the card from being electronically read when covered yet still allows the card to be seen when covered. In one or more embodiments, the sleeve may be a wire mesh that is flexible enough to be compressed to expose the card yet stiff (or rigid) enough to be extended to cover the card and that is transparent enough to allow reading visual information on the surface of the card when covering the card. Protection can be switched off by a mechanical switch that leaves the protection normally on.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An apparatus for protecting an electronic device comprising: a case having a cavity; and a flexible, electrically conductive sheath inside the case and compressible between a first position and a second position, wherein the electrically conductive sheath surrounds the electronic device in the first position and the electrically conductive sheath surrounds only a portion of the electronic device in the second position, wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath comprises a mesh of electrically conductive material that compresses and expands in an axial direction, and wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath moves axially to move to the first position and compressing axially to move to the second position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a lock configured to hold the flexible, electrically conductive sheath in the second position.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath compresses and expands by one of a scissoring action of elements of the mesh, plastic deformation and recovery inherent in a shape memory of the electrically conductive material of the flexible, electrically conductive sheath, and telescoping of segments of the flexible, electrically conductive sheath.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a card with an RFID tag, a mobile phone, a computing device, a credit card, and a device with a readable chip embedded in the device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first position prevents electrical fields from accessing the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is substantially visible in the first position.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second position allows the electrical fields to access the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is substantially visible in the second position.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath comprises a mesh that compresses from the first position to the second position, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: a mechanical switch to move the mesh from the first position to the second position.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the mesh provides a resistance to the second position, wherein the mechanical switch locks the mesh into the second position, and wherein the resistance moves the mesh from the second position to the first position without the mechanical switch.
9. A device comprising: an electronic device; a case for the electronic device; and a flexible, electrically conductive sheath inside the case and surrounding the electronic device, wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath is compressible between a first position and a second position, and wherein the electrically conductive sheath surrounds the electronic device in the first position and the electrically conductive sheath surrounds none or a portion of the electronic device in the second position, wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath comprises a mesh of electrically conductive material that compresses and expands in an axial direction, and wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath moves axially to move to the first position and compressing axially to move to the second position.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath compresses and expands by one of a scissoring action of elements of the mesh, plastic deformation and recovery inherent in a shape memory of the electrically conductive material of the flexible, electrically conductive sheath, and telescoping of segments of the flexible, electrically conductive sheath.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a card with an RFID tag, a mobile phone, a computing device, a credit card, and a device with a readable chip embedded in the device.
12. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first position prevents electrical fields from accessing the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is substantially visible in the first position.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the second position allows the electrical fields to access the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is substantially visible in the second position.
14. The device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath comprises a mesh that compresses from the first position to the second position, and wherein the device further comprises: a mechanical switch to move the mesh from the first position to the second position.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the mesh provides a resistance to the second position, wherein a mechanical switch locks the mesh into the second position, and wherein the resistance moves the mesh from the second position to the first position without the mechanical switch.
16. A method comprising: providing a case for an electronic device; and providing a flexible, electrically conductive sheath inside the case and surrounding the electronic device, wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath is compressible between a first position and a second position, and wherein the electrically conductive sheath surrounds the electronic device in the first position and the electrically conductive sheath surrounds none or a portion of the electronic device in the second position, wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath comprises a sleeve inside the flexible, electrically conductive sheath, wherein the sleeve is configured to hold the electronic device inside the flexible, electrically conductive sheath, and wherein the flexible, electrically conductive sheath surrounds the sleeve so that the sheath remains between the case and sleeve when moving between the first position and the second position.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 14, 2015
February 14, 2017
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